New cars arriving on Ireland's forecourts in 2015

The new Mondeo has finally made it here and the Focus has had its facelift. Both will be big players for 2015.

Mondeo prices start from €28,995 ex-works but the entry-level price will drop when they bring in the Style trim version.

For now it's mid-trim Zetec and high-spec Titanium. There will be no 4dr saloon as such (only in hybrid guise) so it's 5dr and estate models all round. Two diesels kick off the show (115bhp 1.6-litre and 2-litre 150bhp, 170bhp and 210bhp).

Busy year ahead. The popular CR-V soft-roader gets a new high-power 1.6 i-DTEC with all-wheel drive. That replaces the 2.2 i-DTEC and is more powerful with lower emissions.

Four-wheel drive is standard with a choice of 6spd manual or 9spd automatic transmission.

The new HR-V sports utility is due to get here in the summer - in time for the 152 plate.

There will be a choice of a 1.6 i-DTEC diesel or 1.5 i-VTEC petrol with the latter coming as either a manual or CVT.

The Civic Type R was one of the real hits of the Paris Motor Show and is expected here next summer - again they hope in time for the 152-reg period starting July 1.

They claim it is the 'most extreme Type R model' in Honda's history with more than 280bhp pumping from the new 2.0 i-VTEC turbo engine.

Hyundai

The new i20 supermini is the big news here. It was unveiled here yesterday (See details Page 3), with prices starting from €15,995 ex-works.

There is a 1.25- litre petrol and 1.1-litre diesel. They claim a segment first with a lane departure warning system as standard.

It also has a nifty phone holder/charger which means you can get sat nav.

They have also extensively revised the family/fleet i40 and added an Executive Plus model (1.7-litre, 136bhp, diesel) and will revamp the i30 by early next year. The Santa Fe too gets some cosmetic work.

Reportedly ready to launch a new i35 as well sometime next year - to compete with the Nissan Qashqai.

KIA

The new, larger, Sorento is the main event. It is longer (+95mm to 4,780mm) and lower (15mm to 1,685 mm) than the current one.

The wheelbase is 80mm longer (2,780 mm) making more room for all three rows of seats.

It will carry over the existing 2.2-litre CRDi diesel (194bhp). Expect to see it here in February/March.

The Rio is due a facelift early next year too as is the Venga; and the Picanto will get a sprucing up by summer.

There will be a new Optima family/fleet car in late summer and we should see a fresh Sportage in early 2016.

Mazda

The new Mazda2 is pencilled in for mid-to-late March arrival. It will be officially unveiled at Geneva this month.

Mazda say it has the full range of SKYACTIV fuel-saving technologies.

The new 2 will have a 1.5-litre petrol (three different versions) and a diesel.

The 1.5-litre diesel option develops 76bhp and has a claimed return of up to 83.0mpg.

They claim the head-up display is a first in the segment. The MZD Connect concept is, they claim, extremely easy to use.

And there are i-ACTIVSENSE active safety systems.

MINI

The MINI 5dr hatch has just gone on sale. There is, of course, all sorts of well-informed speculation, that we will see more variants next year. Among them a second-generation Clubman with conventional rear side doors.

Opel

The new - well it is a major overhaul - Corsa has just arrived with a lot of focus on its 1-litre 3cyl petrol engine.

The front is all-new, the cabin significantly improved and the rear suspension has been tweaked.

Their range-topping Adam S is kitted with a 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol and could be an early 2015 arrival.

Peugeot

The new 108 city car arrives next year - with 1-litre and 1.2-litre petrols.

The 208 supermini, 2008 compact crossover and 308 family hatch get extra equipment. New PureTech 1.2-litre 110bhp and 130bhp petrol engines as well as automatic gearboxes go into the 308 range for January with front fogs and rear electric windows standard from Access level one.

And a new six-seat Expert Crew Cab with a 2-litre HDi (128bhp) diesel arrives next year too. It will cost from €27,890 ex-works.

Mercedes

They are, as is usual now, seriously busy with new and revised models.

First here is the C-Class estate which has only recently arrived.

This month we get to see the wonderful S63 AMG Coupe and the S65 AMG version as well.

The facelifted B-Class, which we reviewed here recently, arrives this month too.